On Wednesday, Finland’s outgoing Prime Minister Sanna Marin announced on Instagram that she and her husband Markus Raikkonen are divorcing after three years of marriage. Marin, who made history as the youngest person ever to hold the position of Prime Minister in 2019 at just 34 years old, faced criticism earlier this year for partying on the job and dancing intimately with another man.
Despite the controversy, Marin maintained her popularity among younger moderates, who saw her as an inspiration for the next generation of progressive young leaders. She has also been praised for her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland.
In her Instagram post, Marin thanked God for the 19 years she and Raikkonen spent together, including the past three as a married couple. They have a daughter together and stated that they will “always be best friends.”
Marin’s political career has been marked by a commitment to social justice and equality. She has been a vocal advocate for women’s rights and has championed policies to address climate change and income inequality.
Following her Social Democratic Party’s loss in a legislative election last month, Marin admitted defeat and will presumably relinquish her position as party leader when the next parliament convenes in the fall. While her political future remains uncertain, Marin’s impact as a young and dynamic leader has already been felt in Finland and beyond.